2022 Rankings: Welcome the Newcomers, Part I

DAKOTAS-- We dive into the newcomers on our Class of 2022 rankings for Prep Redzone Dakotas. These eight young men are new names to our rankings but there are some we wish we would have found sooner! All eight of these prospect in my eyes have what I would be looking for if I was a college coach recruiting the Dakotas. We will start with Part I of this multi-part series. [player_tooltip player_id="151169" first="Jackson" last="Geerts"], Defensive Line, Sioux Falls Lincoln (SD) |<a href="https://twitter.com/geerts_jackson">Twitter</a> When I first saw Jackson’s film I not only was a big fan of his size, I also was a big fan of his footwork, especially when pursuing inside runs. He does a solid job keeping the defender in front of him and not allowing their speed or fancy footwork to get by him. He also has a strong coverage area and is a player that can make plays with good depth around both edges. His patience is another strength to his game. He’s not a prospect that just attacks the ball carrier with one angle, he picks the right angle to make the best play he can on the ball which is why I see Jackson as a top 25 prospect in our most recent rankings update. No offers as of yet, but I’m sure that will change by the end of the summer. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2F33Kc">Jr. Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="151230" first="Peyton" last="Carroll"], Tight End, Brandon Valley (SD) | Twitter Peyton was one I was between placing as a WR or a TE, but man his physical blocking ability would make him a great tight end at the next level. He provides a big target for the Lynx and is one that runs really sound routes for his size. If you are looking for 10-20 yards over the middle of the field Peyton is a solid option to go to. I see Carroll’s stock rising higher due to having more of a passing QB in [player_tooltip player_id="101217" first="Lucas" last="Slack"] next year for the Lynx which should open up the passing game even more. Peyton also gets strong momentum on his blocks and can drive the defender in uncomfortable positions if they are not in a solid position. Peyton checks in at #25 in our latest 2022 rankings and is a high academic kid as well with a 4.0 GPA. He currently holds two offers from Mount Marty and South Dakota School of Mines and should get more D2 offers coming in this summer with prospect camps. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EQLGy">Jr. Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="151268" first="David" last="Alpers"], Defensive Line, Sioux Falls O’Gorman (SD) | <a href="https://twitter.com/AlpersDavid">Twitter</a> David checks in as a prospect ranked in our top 35 in the Dakotas. He brings a big motor in his 6’6 225-pound body and shows off a high physicality level from the bulk of the plays I have watched on film. David has a quick shedding ability and burst once he gets off a blocker and has a strong presence of attack while in the backfield. He also is a stud tight end that has a long stretch when making a play on the ball when it comes his way. I see David as one that could rise 2-3 spots in his position group by the next rankings update just due to his physicality on every play I have seen on film. He also is a solid basketball prospect, so it will be interesting to see where this young man ends up, even though it is looking like he strongly is pursuing football at the college level. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11632853/5f934a7f0dc00a0230325e4a">Jr. Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="149447" first="Ashton" last="Hanson"], Running Back, Florence-Henry (SD) | <a href="https://twitter.com/AshtonHanson19">Twitter</a> Ashton is one of two Hanson’s in our part I series of newcomers to our rankings and was probably one of our biggest misses the last time around. Hanson is slightly undersized as a 5’10 170 pound tailback but has some solid footwork and a strong lower body to create a handful of yards after contact. Hanson is also no slouch at linebacker either for Florence-Henry as he provides a good skillset for attacking the football in the backfield and can assist with being physical in pass coverage. If he can add 10-15 pounds, he could be an even more solid D2 prospect. Jr. Tape [player_tooltip player_id="149446" first="Grayson" last="Hanson"], Running Back, Platte-Geddes (SD) We add another Hanson to our Part I list of newcomers, [player_tooltip player_id="149446" first="Grayson" last="Hanson"] of Platte-Geddes. Grayson has a bulk of skillsets on both sides of the ball and I enjoyed watching it on tape. At tailback, he looks to be a one-cut back that can make a splash wherever he lines up. His versatility stood out most, as he is such a solid athlete that you can use on blocks, passing routes, the option, or use his strong cutting ability. When the ball in Grayson’s hands, he shows off a lot of consistency in getting his yards being using his strong 6’0 170-pound frame to muscle thru defenders. When I look at him as a linebacker, he shows a strong collapsing ability to get beyond that first level to stop the ball carrier for a minimal gain. Grayson could almost be described as an Athlete because his skillsets match so well. Hanson checks in at just outside the top 50 in our 2022 rankings here in the Dakotas. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2FAu1K">Jr. Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="151226" first="Blessing" last="Taniah"], Running Back, Sioux Falls Washington (SD) | <a href="https://twitter.com/Blessing28T">Twitter</a> This young man might be one of the most elusive running backs in the Dakotas I have watched in this 2022 class. He not only has really strong downhill speed, but he also has really sound footwork that can change directions easily. Blessing also has a knack for making plays in traffic that visually should be stopped for a short gain, but he has the ability to outrun just about anyone in the secondary to get to the end zone. The biggest thing that holds this young man from being higher in our rankings is his size as the consensus from what I have heard from a few college programs is he’s just under the measurables that they are looking for. He’s already done his part by adding 10 pounds since I originally watched his tape months ago, and is one that I feel that could skyrocket in our rankings if he can grow even stronger this offseason and turn some heads at upcoming prospect camps. He reminds me a lot of a top 50 RB prospect we had in our 2021 class with similar size, that ended up finding a scholarship-level program that he is calling home this Fall. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EuMSt">Jr. Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="151227" first="Easton" last="Frey"], Running Back, Underwood (ND) | <a href="https://twitter.com/frey_easton">Twitter</a> Easton comes in as one of the most under-the-radar prospects on this Part I list. He is a well-put-together running back at 5’11 205 pounds that is another bully-back I learned about from Underwood, North Dakota. I like Easton for not only his running ability but his ability to be a playmaker on screen plays where he is given full-go to use his speed and size to go where he needs to make a play. He also for his size has good balance with his footwork and is able to take the defense on a joy ride that might not end well in their favor. I think with a little work on his flexibility in his running ability, this young man will have a bright future in playing college football someday. I have Easton currently ranked inside the top 90 prospects in the Dakotas <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ERya3">Jr. Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="119069" first="Brennan" last="Sellheim"], Offensive Line, West Fargo Sheyenne (SD) | Twitter Brennan shows a good mix of skillset on the offensive line with being able to not only use his quick footwork to punch early in pursuit but his ability to also get position and finish blocks despite having a middle-sized frame on Sheyenne’s offensive line also sticks out. He shows good determination in his zone-blocking by being able to multi-engage on multiple defenders without getting them too close to his Quarterback. Sellheim has plenty of potential to muscle his way inside the top 100 prospects in the Dakotas with a strong summer at prospect camps. If he can gain a more physical punch more consistently, it will only help him when it comes to the next level.